Safety tractor coupling



R. E. smusoNe. SAFETY TRACTOR COUPLING.

I APPLICATWN FILED NOV. 29| 1'92] 1,413,252.

2 2.. 9 1T E ,E mm W m. A &2 m w a P R. E. BIRDSONG. SAFETY TRACTORCOUPLING. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29. 1921 1,413,252. vPatentedApr.1s,1922.

2 5HEETSSHEET 2- of the following a tractor of any RI HAR E. 'reinnsovs, Q FV MACOKGEQ GI KFT VSAFETY'TRACTOB. oon'rnilvebf 7 l ApplicaticnTo all whom it may concernrh; v v Be it known that LyRICHARD E.'BIRnsoNo', a citizen of theUnitedvStates, residing at Macon, in thecounty of Bibb-and State of Georgia, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements plings, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to couplers especially adapted for use inconnecting various ground working implements to a tractor.

An important object is to provide a conpler of the class describedhaving novel means whereby the connection between the tractor and theimplement is broken when the tractor tilts beyond a pre-determineddegree so as to prevent the tractor fromcompletely tipping over andinjuring the operator. V 3

A further object is to provide a coupler which is of highly simplifiedconstruction and, which, by reason of the few parts volved and theabsence offcoil springs or other yieldable power transmitting devices,may be readlly andconveniently connected Other objects and advantages ofthe invention will be apparentduringthe course description. c I In theaccompanying drawing: 7 Figure 1 is a side elevation of the im;

proved coupler ap lied.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective of one of the coupling members.

Figure 3 is a side elevation illustrating the various positions assumedby the hook member of the coupler.

Figure 4: is a plan view of the coupler applied. v

In the drawing; the numeral 5 designates desired type, the said tractorbeing provided withan internal combustionengine 6 which serves as anoperating means for the traction wheels 7 As illustrated in Figure 1-the differentialhousing 8 is provided with a drawbar cap 9 to-whichthecoupler generally designated by the nu meral 10 is connected. thecoupler may be connected to an implement 11 of any desired type.

comprises ahook.

The improved coupler member 12 having its forward portion provided witha pair of ears 13 apertured as indicated at 15 for the reception of apivot bolt 16, the said pivot bolt serving as a in Safety Tractor Couland?) it will be seen upwardly at right anglescasindicated at'28' pinis disposed above grees the releasing of. the socket l7.

The. rear end of.

: Specification of Iietters Patntf Api. 1 851922 7 filedNovembcr 29,1931. jserialNo."518,71?. j i

'Ineans ffor connecting the hookinember a12 to the drawbar capllhe.rea'r portloniof the hook member. is provided with a socket 17 partiallyclosed bills 18 an'd 19 which provide a restricted entrance opening tothe socket. Y V f i A 'drawbar is associated. with the hook member12 andconsistsof apair of spaced parallel side rods 20. having their forward aterminal portions flared as indicated at 21 connectingpin 22 adaptedto'be received within the ocket 17 to providea connectionbetweenthedrawbar and the hook 12.. The intermediate portions of theside'rods 20 are joined by abolt 24 while the forward ends of the siderods 20 are-joined by a re leasing pin 26. With reference to Figures 7that the forward 20' are. extended portions of the side rods 5 so thatthe releasing the hook member 12.

It is thus seen that' when the tra ctorfis j f j 7 tilted at an angle ofapproximately '30 at... with 'thef'intermediate portion of the hookthereby forcing the connecting pin '22 out This breaks the oonnece tionbetween the tractorfand the implement so'that the rearward tiltingof'thetractorwill be stopped soas toprevent injury to the operator anddamage; to the tractor." The tractor may bei'swung eithertothe right orto the left without straining thecoupler as the forwardportions of the.side rods are flared outwardly so as to permit the hook l2 to'swing. 1The'several parts of the coupler may be conveniently connected to thetractor and 9 5 the implement andinay also be conveniently connected to'each'other' as the pin 22 merely" has tobe inserted into the socket 17.As no springs are employed the connection between the parts is positiveand a steady 100 drive is provided. The' several parts "are 65 Vandprovided with a transversely extending -Whenit is desiredto billsoverhanging said socket to define a restrlcted opening.

a The construction set forth in claim 1,

the forward portions of said siderods'being l extended ang-ularlywhereby the hook may i 1 swing transversely. l

' Intestnnony whereof, I have aflixed my 20 signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

RICHARD E. BIRDSONG.

WVit-ne'sses: V

R. P. RoUeH'roN,

G. M. CLIFTON, Jr.

